Comfort apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an apparatus in the form of an item  10  intended for use by, for example, children, elderly or patients to rest comfortably. The item  10  can be transformed (converted) between two conditions. In the first condition, the item  10  may have one or more uses, including for example as a sleeping bag/sack, a mat upon which the user can sit or lay, a blanket, and a wrap which can be positioned around the user to provide warmth or comfort. The item  10  may also be used users while sitting on wheelchairs, couches, vehicles and planes among others to keep the lower and upper extremities of the user warm and dry. In the second condition, the item  10  can function as a cushion upon which a user can sit or rest. In this condition, the item  10  is also compact for storage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus for providing a comforting function to a user. More particularly, the invention concerns apparatus transformable between two conditions, one condition providing a cushioned support upon which a user can rest or sit comfortably and the other condition providing another comforting function to a user, such as a sleeping bag/sack, a mat, a blanket or a wrap.

BACKGROUND ART

The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

The invention is particularly applicable to children having a need to rest comfortably in while away from home, such as for example in early childhood centres. Accordingly, the invention will primarily be discussed in relation to its application to provision of comforting functions to young children.

Children in early childhood centres may be provided with cushions upon which to sit, and sleeping bags/sacks or mats upon which to rest, in conjunction with accompanying pillows and blankets. Typically, these facilities are provided as separate items, and maintaining an orderly environment can be problematic, with the likelihood that cushions, sleeping bags/sacks or mats, as well as pillows and blankets, become scattered. Additionally, storage of these items in a compact and orderly fashion can also be problematic.

Moreover, in many circumstances the elderly and patients while using wheel chairs wrap blankets around their lower extremities for keeping these extremities warm and dry. Also, they may use gloves for keeping warm and dry their upper extremities such as the hands.

However, wrapping the lower portion of the body with a blanket is not an easy task and in particular for the elderly or a patient. Moreover, typically when blankets are used for wrapping the lower portions of human bodies, the edges and corners of the blankets may get caught in the wheels of the wheelchair during movement thereof.

Also, using gloves for resting on a wheelchair for an elderly or patient is not convenient in view that gloves reduce the sensibility of the fingers making handling of articles and maneuvering of, for example, remote controls of electronic devices cumbersome because it requires periodical removal of the gloves for handling, for example, the remote controls.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

In particular, the present invention seeks to provide an integrated item which can be transformed between different conditions to offer several functions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus transformable between first and second conditions, the apparatus comprising: a first portion defining a pouch having an open end and a first zone adjacent the open end; a second portion configured as a flexible bag, the bag having an open end and a second zone connected to the first zone whereby the first and second portions are integrally connected; the second portion being selectively movable into and out of the pouch of the first portion; whereby the apparatus can assume the first condition when the second portion is out of the pouch and the second condition when the second portion is in the pouch; and wherein the second portion when in the pouch cooperates with the first portion to define a cushioned support.

Preferably, the first condition constitutes an extended condition in which the second portion extends from the first portion to be functional.

Preferably, in the extended condition the apparatus defines a front face comprising the open end of the pouch and the open end of the bag, and a rear face being adapted to rest on a support surface.

Preferably, the open end of the bag is adjacent the second zone.

Preferably, the open end of the pouch and the open end of the bag are facing each other.

Preferably, the bag is adapted to receive at least a lower portion of the body of a user.

Preferably, the bag is configured to receive at least a lower portion of the body of the user with at least a portion of the upper extremities of the user being inserted within the first portion. With this arrangement, the first portion may be configured to provide a pouch for storing goods and for keeping the at least a portion of the upper extremities warm. This arrangement is particularly useful for users while sitting. In particular, this arrangement is particularly useful for users while sitting on wheelchairs because the fact that the second portion is a bag (and not a blanket) (1) ensures that the entire lower portion of the user's body is enclosed by the bag and (2) that no portions of material of the blanket get caught by the wheels of the wheelchair during movement of the wheel chair.

Preferably, the bag comprises a top section of fabric material and a bottom section of fabric material, with the two sections sewn together alongside edges and bottom end so as to define an area enclosed by the two sections.

In an alternative arrangement, the two sections are at least partially sewn together and partially joined by a zipper.

In a further alternative arrangement, the two sections are joined together through a zipper.

In an alternative arrangement, the bag is configured to receive the body of a user with the head of the user resting on the first portion. With this arrangement, the first portion may be configured to provide a head support for the user.

Preferably, the first portion is adapted to afford cushioned support for the head of the user. In this arrangement the first portion may function as a pillow.

The first portion may be adapted to afford cushioned head support in any appropriate way.

Preferably, the first portion comprises a removable cushioned insert such as an insert formed of resiliently compressible foam. In another arrangement, the first portion may be constructed to afford cushioned support; for example, by incorporating cushioning material or a bladder adapted to receive inflation air to provide cushioning.

Preferably, the insert is removable to allow selective displacement between a condition located within the first portion and another condition outside the first portion.

When the second portion is received within the pouch of the first portion, it functions as a cushioned filling for the pouch, transforming to first portion into a cushioned support such as, for example, a cushion upon which a user may rest or sit.

The cushioning afforded by the cushioned filling provided by the second portion received within the pouch may be supplemented by existing cushioning within the first portion such as, for example, any resiliently compressible foam present within the first portion.

Preferably, the comfort apparatus comprises provision for holding or carrying the apparatus when in the second condition.

Preferably, the provision comprises any one of a handle, holding tab and grip

Preferably, the first portion comprises the provision.

While the second portion may be configured as a bag adapted to receive the body of a user, it need not necessarily always be used as a bag. It may be used for one or more other purposes; for example as a mat, blanket or a wrap for a user.

Preferably, the first and second portions comprises two separate pieces of material, whereby the first portion comprises a first piece of material having a first edge which defines the first zone, and the second portion comprises a second piece of material having a second edge which defines the second zone, wherein the first and second edged are interconnected to provide the integral connection between the first and second portions.

Preferably, the pieces of material comprise fabric material.

In an alternative arrangement, the first and second portions comprise a common piece of material whereby the first and second portions merge at the junction between the first and second zones to provide the integral connection between the first and second portions.

Because the first and second portions comprise a common piece of material, there is a continuous transition between the two zones in this arrangement. Consequently, there is no discrete first edge at the first zone and no discrete second edge at the second zone and. However, it can be considered that the there is a notional first edge at the first zone and a notional second edge at the second zone, with the two edges being contiguous.

Preferably, the second condition constitutes a folded condition in which the second portion is folded and stowed in the pouch of the first portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of the apparatus in a first condition;

FIG. 2 is an underside view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is schematic top perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus in a second condition;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus in the first condition and the second option available for use;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus in the first condition but with an insert removed and shown position adjacent the remainder of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a first arrangement of the embodiment of the apparatus in the second condition;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a second arrangement of the embodiment of the apparatus in the second condition;

FIG. 9 is a schematic end view of the apparatus show in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic top perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus in the first condition and the first option available for use.

In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

The figures depict an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment illustrates certain configurations; however, it is to be appreciated that the invention can take the form of many configurations, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, whilst still embodying the present invention. These configurations are to be considered within the scope of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to apparatus in the form of an item 10 intended for use by a young child to rest comfortably. The item 10 can be transformed (converted) between two conditions, as will be explained in detail below.

In the first condition, the item 10 may have one or more uses, including for example as a sleeping bag/sack, a mat upon which the child can sit or lay, a blanket, and a wrap which can be positioned around the child to provide warmth or comfort.

In the second condition, the item 10 can function as a cushion upon which a child can sit or rest. In this condition, the item 10 is also compact for storage

It is a particular feature of the item 10 that it can be readily washed or otherwise laundered as necessary to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

The item 10 comprises a main body 11 made from fabric material which is washable. The item 10 further comprises an insert 13 which is received in the main body 11 and which can be selectively removed to facilitate washing of the main body. The insert 13 is shown in FIG. 6 removed from the main body 11.

The main body 11 is of integrated construction and is made from the fabric material. In this embodiment, the fabric material comprises a fleece fabric for the comfort of the user, but of course other fabric material(s) can be used. Typically, the main body 11 is assembled from sections of the same fabric material cut into shape and sewn together. However, the main body 11 could, of course, be assembled from sections of different materials.

The main body 11 is of integrated construction in the sense that it is assembled to constitute a one-piece unit, even though it may be made from different pieces of material sewn (or otherwise connected) together.

The main body 11 comprises a first portion 15 and a second portion 17 connected together at junction 19.

The first portion 15 defines a pouch 21 having an open end 23 and a first zone 25 adjacent the open end 23. In the arrangement shown, the first zone 25 is defined by a hem line 27 on the first portion 15. More particularly, the pouch 21 comprises a top section 28 of fabric material and a bottom section 29 of fabric material, with the hem line 27 being on the bottom section 29.

The second portion 17 can be folded and stowed the pouch 21 through the open end 23 as will be explained later.

The first portion 15 can also receive the removable insert 13 within the pouch 21. The removable insert 13 can introduce into and removed from the pouch 21 though the open end 23.

In the arrangement shown, the removable insert 13 comprises a body 31 of resiliently compressible material such as a foam material, as shown in FIG. 6. When the body 31 is within the pouch 21, the first portion 15 can function as a pillow 33 upon which the head of a child can rest, as will be explained further later.

The second portion 17 is configured as a bag or sack 41 allowing at least a lower portion of the body to be contained within bag. The item 10 may be used in at least two conditions.

In a first condition the item 10 may be used to provide comfort to users when sitting. For example, the item 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention is particularly useful to provide comfort to users sitting on wheelchairs. This is because, as will be described with the method of operation of the item 10, the fact that the item 10 comprises the bag 41 impedes the edges of material to get trapped in the wheels of the wheelchair; and it also provides an enclosed area (the pouch) for receiving at least portions of the upper extremities of the user (such as the hands) as well as goods such as books, handcraft work, remote controls of electronic devices among others.

In the second condition the bag 41 may receive the body of a user, with the head of the user resting on the pillow 33.

The bag or sack 41 has an open end 43 and a second zone 45 adjacent the open end 43. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the second zone 45 is defined by a hem line 47 on the second portion 17. More particularly, the bag or sack 41 comprises a top section 51 of fabric material and a bottom section 53 of fabric material, with the two sections 51, 53 sewn together alongside edges 55 and bottom end 57 so as to define an area enclosed by the two sections 51 and 53.

The two sections 51 and 53 may not be sewn together along the entire side edges and bottom end 57 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. Alternatively, the bag 41 may include a zipper 76 permitting open at least one side of the bag 41 to facilitate introduction of the lower portion of the body into the bag 41. FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8 and 9 show two arrangements of bag including the zipper 76. The arrangement of FIG. 7, shows one zipper 76 extending partially along only one side section 55; in another configuration of this arrangement there may be a zipper 76 extending partially along both side sections 55. The arrangement of FIGS. 8 and 9 show one zipper 76 extending entirely along one side sections 55 and along the bottom end 57.

The first and second portions 15, 17 are interconnected at junction 19 by hem line 27 on the first portion 15 and hem line 47 on the second portion 17 being sewn together. In this way, the body 11 is assembled as a one-piece unit.

In the extended condition, the item 10 defines a front face 80 comprising the open end 23 of the pouch 21 and the open end 43 of the bag 41, and a rear face 82 being adapted to rest on a support surface. As shown in, for example, FIG. 1, The open end 23 of the pouch 21 and the open end 43 of the bag 41 are facing each other.

While the second portion 17 is configured as the bag or sack 41, it need not necessarily always be used for such a purpose. The second portion 17 may, for example, be used for one or more other purposes according to the needs of the user; for example, the second portion 17 may be used as a mat upon which a child can sit or lay, or may be used as a blanket or a wrap.

When the second portion 17 is folded and stowed within the pouch 21 of the first portion 15, the top section 51 of fabric material and the bottom section 53 of fabric material provide a cushioned filling 59 for the pouch 21, transforming to first portion 21 into a cushioned support such as, for example, a cushion 61 (as depicted in FIG. 4) upon which a child may rest or sit.

The cushioning (which is afforded by the cushioned filling 59 provided by the second portion 17 received within the pouch 21) is supplemented by the cushioning present within the pouch 21 by virtue of the removable insert 13 formed of resiliently compressible material.

The item 10 has provision for holding or carrying it when in the second condition. In the arrangement shown, such provision a holding tab 63 provided on the first portion 15.

As mentioned above, the item 10 can be used for various purposes, according to the needs of the user.

In the first condition, the item may be used either in a first option while the user is sitting or a second option while the user is lying down.

In the first option, the user may have the lower portion of the user's body within the bag 41 and the pouch 21 may be lying on the user's lap—see FIG. 10. For using the item 10 in the first option, the user introduces the lower portion of her/his body into the bag 41 such that the front face 80 (see FIGS. 7 to 9) of the item 14 covers the rear portion of the user's body. In this particular position, the pouch 21 locates itself adjacent the rear face 82 of the bag 41. Once the lower portion of the user's body in contained in the bag 41, the user may sit, for example, on a wheel chair or a couch. In this first option, while the user is situated in the sitting position, the pouch 21 is located on the user's lap. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the user to introduce at least portions of her/his upper extremities (such the hands) into the pouch 21 to protect them from the cold and wind. In this first option, the pouch 21 may also act as a storage device for storing articles such as books, remote controls, medicines, among others.

In the second option, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 and in which the second portion 17 is removed from the pouch 21 within the first portion 15, the item 10 can be used for a variety of purposes, including in particular for sleeping, napping or resting, with the body of a child positioned in the bag or sack 41 and the head of the child resting on the pillow 33. This is depicted in FIG. 5 in which a toy 71 represents a child, with the body portion 73 of the toy positioned in the bag or sack 41 and the head portion 75 resting on the pillow 33.

In the second condition, which is shown in FIG. 4 and in which the second portion 17 is folded and stowed within the first portion 15, the item 10 can be used as cushion 61 upon which a child may rest or sit. In this condition, the item 10 also assumes compact condition which is convenient for storage.

Because the body 11 is of integrated construction in the sense that it is assembled to constitute a one-piece unit, the item 10 remains intact whether being used in either the first condition or second condition, and also while being transformed between those two conditions. The removable insert 13 normally remains in place within the pouch 21 whenever the item 10 is in the first and second conditions, and while being transformed between those two conditions. Typically, the removable insert 13 is only removed from the pouch 21 when the body 11 is to be washed. The feature whereby the insert 13 can be readily removed from the pouch 21 is advantageous as it makes washing of the body 11 easier. The insert 13 is shown removed from the body 11 in FIG. 6.

Reference to positional descriptions, such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom” and “sides”, are to be taken in context of the embodiment depicted in the drawings, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 

1. An apparatus transformable between first and second conditions, the apparatus comprising: a first portion defining a pouch having an open end and a first zone adjacent the open end; a second portion configured as a flexible bag, the bag having an open end and a second zone connected to the first zone whereby the first and second portions are integrally connected; the second portion being selectively movable into and out of the pouch of the first portion; whereby the apparatus can assume the first condition when the second portion is out of the pouch and the second condition when the second portion is in the pouch; and wherein the second portion when in the pouch cooperates with the first portion to define a cushioned support.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first condition constitutes an extended condition in which the second portion extends from the first portion to be functional.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein in the extended condition the apparatus defines a front face comprising the open end of the pouch and the open end of the bag, and a rear face being adapted to rest on a support surface.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the open end of the bag is adjacent the second zone.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the open end of the pouch and the open end of the bag are facing each other.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bag is adapted to receive at least a lower portion of the body of a user.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of the bag is configured to receive at least a lower portion of the body of a user and the first portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the upper extremities of a user.
 8. The apparatus according to 1 claims wherein the bag comprises a top section of fabric material and a bottom section of fabric material, with the two sections sewn together alongside edges and bottom end so as to define an area enclosed by the two sections.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the top and bottom sections are partially sewn together and partially joined by a zipper.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the two sections are joined together through a zipper.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises cushioning material.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the cushioning material comprises a removable cushioned insert.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a bladder adapted to receive inflation air to provide cushioning.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a provision for holding or carrying the apparatus when in the second condition.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the first portion comprises the provision. 